News La Gazzetta

Didier Deschamps may have led Juventus to Serie A, but his future remains in serious doubt. The tactician’s relationship with the board is a cold one and Ligue 1 giants Lyon and Marseille have both been associated with a swoop for the former midfielder. Juventus maintain that Deschamps is going nowhere, but the former France captain and his agent have admitted that there are some issues to resolve. “He doesn’t feel the club’s full trust and his work at Juve is not being recognised as it should,” said representative Jeannot Werth. “If Juventus want to continue with Deschamps they need to strengthen his position from a contractual point of view, defining his field of intervention.” The uncertain future of Deschamps, contracted until 2008, is not the only coaching dilemma threatening to kick-start the managerial merry-go-round this summer. Atalanta boss Stefano Colantuono is set to leave despite recently signing a new two-year deal. Palermo, who last month sacked Francesco Guidolin for his assistant Renzo Gobbo only to bring him back 21 days later, look set to swoop for the highly-rated tactician. The Rosanero’s second option is Walter Novellino, who will leave Sampdoria after five years. Reggina’s Walter Mazzarri is favourite to replace him at Marassi even if Cagliari’s Marco Giampaolo, Gianluca Vialli, Colantuono and Claudio Ranieri of Parma are possibilities. The latter is also being strongly linked with the vacant position at Premiership outfit Manchester City. Meanwhile, Messina ended the campaign with a new man. After sacking Bruno Giordano for the second time this season, Bruno Bolchi returned to Serie A for the first time in 19 years following his stint at Pisa in the 1980s. It changed little though as the 67-year-old couldn’t save them from the drop.

See p31 Deschamps special

All over for Didi? Suazo style Cagliari’s David Suazo may end up at Lazio next season. “He’s an excellent striker,” said chief Claudio Lotito. “And our purchases are based on technical capabilities and price.” Inter and Roma are also keen. Capello talk Massimo Moratti has admitted that he tried to sign Coach Fabio Capello last year. “He had proved that he knew how to lead a squad and win,” noted the Inter chief. “But I preferred to keep Roberto Mancini.” Iaquinta on move Juventus have revealed that they have an agreement in place with Vincenzo Iaquinta. The World Cup winner looks set to leave Udinese for Turin in the summer. Gats’ eyes Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that he likes English football – but he believes his future will be in Italy. “I think my style suits the English game, yet I see my future at Milan right now,” he stated. Fine mess Roma and Man Utd have been fined for the crowd trouble that marred their Champions League quarterfinal. The Italian club will have to cough up £31,000, while the Reds have been invoiced for £14,500. Golden Kaka Kaka is playing down talk that he is in line to win the Golden Ball. “The Ballon d’Or depends on what I do with Milan and I think about the team first...” De Sanctis off Morgan De Sanctis is apparently set for a summer move. “His adventure with Udinese is about to end,” noted agent Claudio Vagheggi. “His next destination might be with Lazio.” Ob job Christian Obodo will miss the start of next season after snapping knee ligaments. The Udinese midfielder has had surgery and will be out until around October. Cesar commits Goalkeeper Julio Cesar will extend his deal with Inter until 2012, confirmed technical director Marco Branca. “We had already agreed to a deal a while ago, we were only waiting to make it official,” he stated. Rome free Daniele De Rossi has surprisingly revealed that he may one day leave Roma. “I want to stay at all costs, but I can’t make any promises,” said the Inter target. “Anything can happen in football.” Terry in June Milan are reportedly pondering a summer move for Chelsea captain John Terry, seeing as the English defender has still not extended his Stamford Bridge contract.

Juventus’ Didier Deschamps could be one of a number of coaching casualties during the summer

Kick off sparks row Aclub versus country row has erupted after the Italian Football League announced that next season’s Serie A campaign would not start until August 26. It was widely expected that the 2007-08 campaign would begin a week earlier in order to favour the Italian national’s side’s Euro 2008 bid, but the August 19 possibility was ignored by club chiefs. “We are working with the Lega Calcio to ensure that the August 19 date is taken seriously,” noted FIGC President Giancarlo Abete. “September is always a difficult month for the national side. We hope that the importance of the Nazionale’s encounter with France will push the Lega to reconsider their choice. However, we have to admit that during the last 10 years the campaign has never kicked off before August 26.” As it stands, Serie A will begin after the Leagues in England, France, Spain and Germany. That could be a problem seeing as Italy, fourth in Group B, will play France on September 8 and Ukraine four days later. “I am surprised about the start date,” said Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni. “It would have been better to play these European Championship ties with three Serie A games in our legs, but we will have to make do with the circumstances and try to do as best we can after two rounds.”

See p54 Mancini-Moratti focus

See p32 Peruzzi tribute

text ITALIA to 83188 June 2007 7